Cigarette lighter



March 29, 1966 A. F. FUKAL 3,242,700

CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed May 18, 1964 loo "MV United States Patent O3,242,700 CIGARETTE LIGHTER Alfred F. Fukal, Houston, Tex., assignor, bymesne assignments, to American Lighter Corporation, Fort Worth, Tex., acorporation of Texas Filed May 18, 1964, Ser. No. 368,041 Claims. (Cl.67-7.1)

This invention relates general-ly to cigarette lighters that employ asparking Wheel and utilize an ignitable fuel.

More particularly, this invention relates to a cigarette lighter that isadapted to utilize a liquid gas, such as, for example, butane, propane,pentane and the like.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a highly efiicientdevice of the character described that is light in weight and extremelyeconomical in construction and in operation.

Another object is to provide a portable cigarette lighter that has asize, weight and configuration tha-t makes it convenient for use byeither men or women and makes it equally easy to carry in either pocketor handbag.

A further object is to provide a cigarette lighter having a unique valveWi-th flutter-type action that makes this lighter particularly suited tocertain aromatic fuels.

And a still further 'object is to provide a gas lighter that includes aVcompletely automatic valve that requires no levers, wheels or openingmechanism of any kind,

and which valve operates instantly upon the opening of the top cover ofthe lighter.

And yet another object of this invention is to provide a gas cigarettelighter in which a simple, single thumb motion will initiate thesimultaneous actions of opening the top cover, rotating the spark wheel,removing a snuffer from the flame nozzle, and starting the gas flowthrough the fiame nozzle.

And an additional object is to provide a cigarette lighter having asp-ark wheel rotatably mounted to the same pin about which the top coverrotates.

And another object is to provide a cigarette lighter having a sparkwheel rotatably mounted to a pin that is removably attached to thehousing and to the top Cover so that the pin may be removed to servicethe spark wheel, its cooperating liint and the top cover.

And a further object is to provide a gas lighter employing a permanentinternal wick of non-corrosive material that assists in vaporization ofthe liquid fuel.

And an object is to provide a lighter having a housing case madeprimarily of impact extruded parts asseni-bled by shrink fits so that nofasteners are use-d that might work loose in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unique adjustable flamenozzle for a gas cigarette lighter.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from anexamination of the following specification and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 represents a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of thisinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional side elevational View of the lighter ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the device of FIGURES l and 2.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawing, it will be observed that the complete lighter assembly of thisinvention consists 3,242,700 Patented Mar. 29, 1966 basically andfunctionally of an external case assembly identified as 100, defining aninternal enclosed fuel chamber section 200, an internal but exposablefuel combustion section 300, and a metering valve a-ssembly 400, and anignition system 500.

The case assembly comprises a vertically extending housing 10-1 havingan open upper end, that is normally closed after assembly by cap 103. Apin 104 extends transversely across the housing 101 and serves as apivot about which cap 103 rotates under pressure of coil spring 105 whenopening. Cap 103 includes a U-shaped lip 106 that cooperates withU-shaped lip 107 of a leaf type latch spring 110 that is biased to anengaged position with cap 103. Spring 110 is released and cap 103permitted to open by means of a press button 111. Rivets 102 hold spring110 to the housing 101 and button 111. Cap 103 also includes a hollowboss member 112 that supports a flexible material conically shapedsnutfer 412 which may be classified as part of the valve assembly 400.The internal configuration of cap 103 is such that a ridge 113 is formedwhich serves as an anchor for coil `spring 105. The externalconfiguration of cap 103` is such that the end section is curved to beconcentric with the spark wheel 506 of the ignition system 500. The capcurvature identified at 114 and the outer ridge 115 also serve to permitthe cap to telescope into housing 101 when opening until ridge 115engages the upper open edge 116 of housing 101, which acts as a stop andas a rest for retaining cap 103 in its open position. Openings 117 inhousing 101 permit air necessary for mixing with the vaporized fuel -toenter combustion chamber section 300. rlihe distance between spring 1.10and boss 112 limits the distance of travel of spring 110 between itsclosed and open positions. This is desirable as it reduces wear andpossible breakage and provides a precise motion for the lighteroperation.

A plug 202 permanently seals the upper end of fuel chamber 200, whereasa threaded plug 220 normally seals the lower end and also providesaccess for refilling the chamber with liquified gas in a well knownmanner. Plug 202 includes a threaded opening 221 to refceive valvefitting 414 having external cooperating pipe threads, and includes astraight bore 222 in which flint tu'be 509 is installed lby means of a`shrink fit. Since plug 202 is also installed by a shrink fit and sincevalve fitting 414 engages plug 202 by pipe threads, a leak proof fuelchamber 200 is `thus provided in housing 101.

The valve assembly 400 includes the described valve fitting 414 whichalso includes a straight external thread on the reduced diameter upperportion 421, and a straight thread in its internal bore 422. A tube 418threaded at its upper end engages threaded bore 422 and provides supportfor a fiber glass wick 419 that extends nearly to the bottom of fuelchamber 200. A short distance above the top of tube 418 and wick 419 islocated a seal plug 415 perfera'bly of nonrnetallic material thatthreads into bore 422. A noncorrosive metal top 416 having a taperedlower surface engages a corresponding tapered surface on seal plug 415so that the weight o-f the top tends to cause a seal to be formedbetween the top 416 and the seal plug 415. To assist this sealing actiona rubber Washer 417 engages the upper end of top 416 and is placed incompression by the action of its oversized diameter against the upperunthreaded portion of bore 422. A small diameter axial bore 423 extendsupward into upper portion 421 from bore 422 until it intersects asmaller horizontally extending bore 424. A protuberan'ce 425 extendsaxially upward from portion 421 and is normally enclosed within flamenozzle fitting 413 that engages portion 421 and is spaced fromprotuberance 425 by a small and adjustable distance that determines theflame size in operation. A snuffer 412 closes over llame nozzle 413 whenthe cap 103 is closed.

Flint tube 509 installed in plug 202 contains a longitudinally extendingflint 507 that is biased upward by spring` 50S that seats in the closedbottom of tube 509. Directly above flint 597 is located spark wheel 506that fastens to and rotates with pin 194 as the cover cap 103 is openedby action of spring 105.

In operation, the liquefied gas L in chamber 200 seeps up through theliber glass wick 419 into the internal bore 422 of valve lifting 414below the seal plug 415 where it collects as a vaporized gas. When thepressure is great enough it lifts top 416 olf of its seat on seal 415and permits gas to pass through the seal 415 and to the area of washer417. When the pressure in the area under washer 417 is sufficient, thewasher lifts and permits gas fuel to pass there around and out throughflame nozzle 413, unless snuffer 412 closes the llame nozzle, in whichlatter case an equilibrium is reached and metal top 416 by its ownweight will reseat on plug seal 415 until such time as the pressurebuilds up again. At this point an amount of gas under pressure isretained in the area above top 416 and including the area within thellame nozzle 413. A weak coil spring 420 at the upper end of chamber 422prevents top 416 and washer 417 from bottoming at the upper end of thechamber and stopping gas llow through the llame nozzle.

When the button 111 is pressed and the cover 193 springs open rotatingspark wheel 506 against flint 507, sparks are directed to the now openllame nozzle 413 and the gas above top 416 ignites as it leaves thenozzle. This 'action reduces the pressure above the top 416, whichraises olf its seat on seal plug 415 and permits more pressurized gas topass around washer 417 and up and out bores 423 and 424 and aroundprotuberance 425 to be consumed at the top of flame nozzle 413. Thisaction repeats itself and continues as a fluttering or a palpitatingaction which goes on until the snuffer 412 recloses nozzle 413. Theabove construction may thus be described as a pressure opened, gravityclosed, flutter type metering valve.

Filling of chamber 260 with a pressurized liquid gas may be accomplishedby conventional means using commercially available butane filling units.Plug 220 may be replaced by a plug to accommodate any known lling unit.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen -that there hasbeen produced a device which substantially fulfills the objects of thisinvention as set forth herein. The invention is not limited to theexemplary constructions herein shown and described, but may be made inmany ways within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatically operating flutter valve assembly for a cigarettelighter, comprising: a valve fitting having a llame nozzle engaging oneend and having its other end exposed to vaporized fuel under pressure,said fitting delining a large bore and a small bore, a plug sealinstalled in said large bore and having a seat thereon, a top normallyseated on said seal, a flexible washer attached to `said top, meansassociated with said top to permit said top to be raised when thedifferential pressure above and below exceeds a predetermined minimum,and to permit sai-d top to drop by gravity and by action of the flexiblewasher, and reseat itself on said seal as the differential pressuredecreases to provide a fluttering action as pressurized gas passes bysaid top and through said bores and is consumed at said llame nozzle.

2. A cigarette lighter assembly comprising in combination a caseassembly having a fuel section for containing liquitied gas, acombustion section, an ignition system, and a completely automaticacting fuel valve; said case assembly including an adjustable llamenozzle associated with said fuel valve and including a cover with asnuffer, automatic means for opening said cover and exposing said llamenozzle and simultaneously activating said ignition system for igniting`fuel passing through said fuel valve and out said fuel nozzle, manualmeans for closing said cover and applying said snutfer against saidflame nozzle for extinguishing the llame, said fuel valve including aninternal chamber, a seal plug in said chamber and a free-floatingweighted top seated above said seal plug whereby gas may pass throughsaid valve by lifting said free-floating top completely off said sealplug when said snulfer is removed from said llame nozzle, a flexiblewasher attached to said top and engaging the chamber walls, said topadapted to reseat itself by gravity and the flexure of said washer whensaid snuifer is closed.

3. A fuel valve for a cigarette lighter comprising a housing defining afuel chamber and defining a bore through the housing, a nonmetalmaterial seal plug engaging the inner walls of the fuel chamber andreducing the open inner dimensions of the fuel chamber, a rigid weightedtop positioned on said seal and closing by gravity the open dimensionthrough the seal plug, a nonmetal flexible washer on said top, anadjustable llame nozzle at one end of said valve whereby fuel pressurewill lift said top and permit fuel to pass around said top and out saidbore in a quantity determined by the position of said top, and theadjustment of the llame nozzle, and means to prevent said top and washerfrom completely closing said bore when fluid is passing through Vsaidllame nozzle.

4. In a cigarette lighter, a lighter mechanism, comprising: a caseassembly including vertical walls having a fuel section, a combustionsection, an ignition system, said ignition system including a sparkwheel, a cover in said case assembly having a curved section concentricwith said spark wheel and having an internal and external ridge, acommon pivot pin for said cover and spark wheel, a coil spring aroundsaid pivot pin for biasing said cover to its open position, a free endof said coil spring being anchored to said internal ridge, saidconcentric section telescoping into one said vertical wall of said caseassembly until said external ridge strikes said external wall; said caseassembly including a sealed bottom and a plug near the top sealing olf aliquefied gas fuel lchamber in said fuel section, an automatic valveassembly installed in said plug, a tube attached to and extending fromsaid valve assembly substantially the full length of said fuel chamber,a seal plug in said valve assembly, a free-floating gravity sealing topabove and cooperating with said seal plug, a liber glass wick extendingfrom the vicinity of said seal plug for substantially the full length ofsaid tube and in direct fluid transfer relation between said fuelsection and said valve, and snubber means in said cover to close theexternal end of said valve assembly in cooperation with said automaticvalve assembly.

5. In a gas cigarette lighter, including a case assembly having abottom, side walls, and a cover, and closure means to seal olf a portionof said case assembly to provide a liquefied gas fuel section, a valvemeans in said closure means to provide gas vapor for combustion, anozzle attached to the external end of said valve means, a snubber insaid coverto close the external end of said nozzle and attached valvemeans, a -fuel chamber in said Valve means, a seal plug in said fuelchamber, aplastic material wick extending from the fuel section to thevalve means, a free-lloating gravity seating top above and cooperatingwith said seal plug to close when said snubber 5 6 engages said nozzleand meter the flow of gas vapor 2,751,772 6/ 1956 Salzer 67-7.1 throughsaid valve means. 3,140,593 7/ 1964 Baumann et al. 67-7.1

FOREIGN PATENTS References Clted by the Examiner 787,706 7/1935 France.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 1,045,754 7/1935 France. 2,651,931 9/1953Gailmard et al. 67-7.1 I. 2,688,240 9/1954 Treiss 67 7 1 FREDERICK L.MATTESON, JR., Pllmary Exammer.

2,724,253 11/ 1955 Morgan 67-7.1 LLOYD L. KING, ROBERT A. OLEARY,Examiners.

1. AN AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING FLUTTER VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR A CIGARETTELIGHTER, COMPRISING: A VALVE FITTING HAVING A FLAME NOZZLE ENGAGING ONEEND AND HAVING ITS OTHER END EXPOSED TO VAPORIZED FUEL UNDER PRESSURE,SAID FITTING DEFINING A LARGE BORE AND A SMALL BORE, A PLUG SEALINSTALLED IN SAID LARGE BORE AND HAVING A SEAT THEREON, A TOP NORMALLYSEATED ON SAID SEAL, A FLEXIBLE WASHER ATTACHED TO SAID TOP, MEANSASSOCIATED WITH SAID TOP TO PERMIT SAID TOP TO BE RAISED WHEN THEDIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ABOVE AND BELOW EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED MINIMUM,AND TO PERMIT SAID TOP TO DROP BY GRAVITY AND BY ACTION OF THE FLEXIBLEWASHER, AND RESEAT ITSELF ON SAID SEAL AS THE DIFFERENTIAL PRESSUREDECREASES TO PROVIDE A FLUTTERING ACTION AS PRESSURIZED GAS PASSES BYSAID TOP AND THROUGH SAID BORES AND IS CONSUMED AT SAID FLAME NOZZLE.